This is a 2 in 1 post for the Resurrection Blogfest and Insecure Writers Support Group. For the Blogfest, you had to re-post (resurrect) something on your blog. The flash fiction piece below was originally posted on March 7, 2012 for Rachel Harrie's Flash Fiction Campaign Challenge. The story I wrote means something to me, so thought it would be fitting for this Blogfest.
Regarding IWSG.....same old insecurity I guess. Lots of ideas for stories, but just seems to take forever to complete anything--not enough energy! I thought that when my son started JK this year I would have lots of time to write, but I still have my 1-year-old to take care of, not to mention life getting in the way (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). The commitment to a serious writing schedule just doesn't seem to be working out for me at the moment and I guess that has me insecure, like if I was a 'real' writer I'd get down to work. Just trying to give myself a pat on the back for when I do get some writing done, I guess. No point in beating myself up...how motivating is that? Until next IWSG. -Siobhan-
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| (Prompt 4) |
We dig in the trash, the filthy trash, my brother, sister and I. Most days we find ourselves here, scrounging for treasures: scraps of metal, worn tires, anything that may be of value we can sell.
No matter how many treasures we find it will not make Mother better. On this day I find a surprising treasure. A ring.
Mandeep snatches it from me. “Nandini! We are rich!”
I know I should be happy but all I can think about is our mother lying on her side, a mat of woven grass beneath her. Her lips are cracked, her eyes devoid of awareness. Where has she gone, the woman with the bright eyes who used to fill our home with laughter? She cannot even drink the water we dribble into her mouth. My father pretends as if she is sleeping ... you cannot fool a child who has grown up on the streets of Calcutta.
As my brother turns the ring around in his fingers I realize that Mother deserves more than to die in an inferno of a hut, flies perched on her sweating face.
I snatch back the ring. “It is my burial gift for Mother.”
Wow -- a lot of emotional impact in flash piece! Nice work for your resurrected post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chris :)
DeleteIt is an emotional piece! Very well done, congrats! I was also double booked with Mina's blogfest and IWSG. Don't give yourself a hard time for not being able to write, what good does it to you? Life always gets in the way when you are a mother to young children. Instead, enjoy the time you spend writing, and savor the moments you have with your little ones. Very soon they'll be all grown up and you'll have more time for yourself. ;)
ReplyDeleteWow. Very touching and sad flash piece.
ReplyDeleteWriting can be really hard when life gets in the way. You just have to do it when you can and, like you said, not beat yourself up the rest of the time. The fact that you getting any writing done at all is impressive with a one year old in the house. Don't be too hard on yourself!!
Thank you for all of the encouragement!!
ReplyDeletevery poignant. There's a sobering Dead can Dance vid I posted on a recent blog re third world poverty of people in India I think living off a garbage heap. Your post conveys the desperation well.
ReplyDeleteDavid
http://britsintheus23.blogspot.com/
What a sad and moving piece of flash fiction. Well done!
ReplyDeleteTime is the eternal curse for all of us I think. Never enough of it, and it continues to march forward whether we're ready or not. Keep plugging away when you can.
ReplyDeleteThe image is heartbreaking and your scene is very emotional. Great IWSG post!
My sister lived in India for a few years. You'll have five star hotels next to people living on the streets.~~ As far as finding time to write, remember that this too shall pass. My kids are in college now. It's a lot easier now than when they were younger.
ReplyDeletePrecious Monsters
Heartbreaking story!
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in my blogfest!
Some Dark Romantic